Snorkelling and diving from a charter boat in the Bahamas
Bahamas: snorkel and dive sites by boat, park fees, anchoring rules, sea temperature by month (NOAA) and wetsuit advice. Sourced.
Sea temperature
23.3–29.4 °C
February to August, NOAA 1991–2020
Source: NOAA PSL (NOAA/NCEI OISST v2.1), checked
Warm water (≥24 °C)
April to December
Our threshold on NOAA means
Park fee
BSD 27.27 + 10% VAT
ECLSP mooring, charter vessel, per day, up to 39'11"
Source: Bahamas National Trust, checked
Checked
28 Oct 2026
2 official, 0 secondary
Yes: the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park, the best-documented park we found, charges a charter boat from BSD 27.27 a day for a mooring plus 10% VAT and a per-person charge, its BSD 14 dive fee is collected by dive operators, and it takes no mooring reservations. The sea averages 23.3 °C in February and 29.4 °C in August (NOAA, 1991–2020 mean at our reference point); by our rule of thumb April to December are the months at 24 °C or more, when a swimsuit or rash vest is enough, while February calls for a 3 mm full wetsuit.
Checked 28 Oct 2026 against 2 official and 0 secondary sources; sea temperature from NOAA (sources). Anything we could not confirm is labelled (how to read the labels). Park rules change: check before you go.
Snorkel and dive sites you can reach by charter boat in the Bahamas
| Site | Type | Where | What the source says |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park | marine park | Exuma Cays (Warderick Wells is the park headquarters) | The park takes no reservations: pick up a mooring first, then pay. Warderick Wells moorings (North, Emerald Rock, Pirates Lair) are assigned by calling VHF 09 in advance; the others are first come, first served. (Bahamas National Trust) A dive fee of BSD 14 per person is collected by the dive tour operator. (Bahamas National Trust) |
These are the sites we could document from official or labelled sources, not a full list. Fishing is a separate question: fishing rules in the Bahamas.
Sea temperature in the Bahamas by month
The sea is warmest in August (29.4 °C) and coolest in February (23.3 °C). ● marks our warm-water months (24 °C or more): April to December.
| Month | Sea surface (NOAA) | Air (NASA POWER) | Our wetsuit rule of thumb | Catamaran, avg per week (12 Knots) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 23.6 °C | 22.6 °C | 3 mm full wetsuit | €9,410 |
| February | 23.3 °C | 23.0 °C | 3 mm full wetsuit | €10,126 |
| March | 23.5 °C | 23.2 °C | 3 mm full wetsuit | €10,799 |
| April | 24.5 °C ● | 24.2 °C | 3 mm shorty | €10,601 |
| May | 26.0 °C ● | 26.0 °C | rash vest or 1–2 mm shorty | €9,670 |
| June | 27.7 °C ● | 27.8 °C | rash vest or 1–2 mm shorty | €8,967 |
| July | 28.9 °C ● | 29.0 °C | swimsuit or rash vest | €8,261 |
| August | 29.4 °C ● | 29.3 °C | swimsuit or rash vest | €6,713 |
| September | 29.0 °C ● | 28.9 °C | swimsuit or rash vest | €6,591 |
| October | 27.7 °C ● | 27.4 °C | rash vest or 1–2 mm shorty | €7,377 |
| November | 25.8 °C ● | 25.4 °C | 3 mm shorty | €9,505 |
| December | 24.6 °C ● | 23.8 °C | 3 mm shorty | €9,554 |
Of the months at 24 °C or more, the cheapest on 12 Knots' average weekly catamaran price is September at €6,591 per week (12 Knots, checked 27 Oct 2026), with the sea at 29.0 °C (our comparison). It falls in the Atlantic hurricane season (1 June–30 November) (NOAA National Hurricane Center, checked 27 Oct 2026): see the best time to charter in the Bahamas.
Sea surface: NOAA OISST v2.1 1991–2020 monthly mean for the 1/4° cell centred on 26.625° N, 77.125° W (Sea of Abaco off Marsh Harbour) (NOAA PSL (NOAA/NCEI OISST v2.1), checked 28 Oct 2026); the sites above may be warmer or cooler, and shallow bays warm up faster. Air: our 10-year NASA POWER mean at Marsh Harbour, Abaco (NASA POWER, checked 28 Oct 2026). Prices are asking prices that mix bareboat and crewed listings.
Mooring, anchoring and park rules for your boat
- Exuma Park: moorings cannot be reserved and prepaying does not guarantee one; Warderick Wells moorings are assigned on VHF 09. (Bahamas National Trust)
Can I scuba dive from the boat? Permits and dive centres
- Exuma Park: the BSD 14 dive fee is collected by the dive tour operator. (Bahamas National Trust)
- [Not verified] Whether visitors may dive in the park without a dive operator: not verified.
Park and mooring fees
| Fee | Amount | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| ECLSP mooring, charter vessel, per day, up to 39'11" | BSD 27.27 + 10% VAT | official | Bahamas National Trust |
| ECLSP mooring, charter vessel, per day, 40'–49'11" | BSD 36.36 + 10% VAT | official | Bahamas National Trust |
| ECLSP mooring, charter vessel, per day, 50'–59'11" | BSD 45.45 + 10% VAT | official | Bahamas National Trust |
| ECLSP anchoring, any vessel under 90 ft, per day | BSD 0.45 per foot + 10% VAT | official | Bahamas National Trust |
| ECLSP charter guests, per person per day (mooring or anchoring) | BSD 14.00 on the page text; BSD 12.73 in the checkout listings (The page gives both figures; we show the conflict rather than pick one.) | official | Bahamas National Trust |
| ECLSP dive fee | BSD 14 per person, collected by the dive operator | official | Bahamas National Trust |
Underwater visibility
[Not verified] We found no official or survey source for underwater visibility, so we give no figure. Ask the local dive centre on the day.
What wetsuit do I need in the Bahamas?
From August's 29.4 °C our rule of thumb gives a swimsuit or rash vest; in February (23.3 °C) a 3 mm full wetsuit. The month-by-month column is in the table above.
Our rule of thumb for snorkelling, applied to the monthly mean: 28 °C or more: swimsuit or rash vest; 26–28 °C: rash vest or 1–2 mm shorty; 24–26 °C: 3 mm shorty; 21–24 °C: 3 mm full wetsuit; 18–21 °C: 5 mm full wetsuit; below 18 °C: 7 mm wetsuit, or a drysuit for diving. Divers lose heat faster and meet cooler water at depth: go one band thicker. People feel cold differently; this is a guide, not a source's advice.
| Mean sea temperature | Our rule of thumb for snorkelling |
|---|---|
| 28 °C or more | swimsuit or rash vest |
| 26–28 °C | rash vest or 1–2 mm shorty |
| 24–26 °C | 3 mm shorty |
| 21–24 °C | 3 mm full wetsuit |
| 18–21 °C | 5 mm full wetsuit |
| Below 18 °C | 7 mm wetsuit, or a drysuit for diving |
See boats in the Bahamas
See catamarans for rent in the Bahamas on SamBoat
Check the park rules above and the boat's own kit (snorkel gear, dinghy, dive-ladder) with the operator before you book; listings and prices on SamBoat are SamBoat's own. We may earn a commission if you book through our links, at no extra cost to you (disclosure).
What we could not verify
- Whether the Exuma park is a no-take area (the fee page does not say; our fishing dataset could not confirm it either).
- Snorkel and dive sites and rules in the Abacos, where our charter route and sea-temperature point are.
- Other Bahamas National Trust marine parks.
- Underwater visibility.
How to read the labels
- [Secondary source]: From a newspaper, NGO, guide or tour operator; not official.
- [Not verified]: We could not confirm it. We leave it open rather than guess.
- No label: Read in an official text: government, park authority, ministry or official tourism board.
Sea temperatures are NOAA's; the wetsuit column, the 24 °C warm-water mark and any sum or comparison are ours and say so. Park rules change and some are seasonal: check with the park, your charter base or a local dive centre before you go.
Sources
- Bahamas National Trust: Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park (ECLSP) fees (official), checked 28 Oct 2026.
- NOAA PSL (NOAA/NCEI OISST v2.1): NOAA High-resolution Blended Analysis: OISST v2.1 long-term mean monthly sea surface temperature, 1991–2020 (sst.mon.ltm.1991-2020.nc) (official), checked 28 Oct 2026.
- NASA POWER: Prediction Of Worldwide Energy Resources: Monthly API (T2M, WS10M) (official), air temperature, pulled 28 Oct 2026.
- 12 Knots: Catamaran charter in the Bahamas (secondary, prices), checked 27 Oct 2026.
Method: methodology. Data: JSON.
More on the Bahamas
- Snorkelling and diving by charter boat: every destination compared
- Bahamas yacht and catamaran charter: prices, season and licence
- Best time to charter in the Bahamas
- Fishing rules in the Bahamas
- Do I need a licence to rent a boat in the Bahamas?
- True cost of a week in the Bahamas: per person, all extras
Frequently asked questions
Can you snorkel and dive from a charter boat in the Bahamas?
Yes: the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park, the best-documented park we found, charges a charter boat from BSD 27.27 a day for a mooring plus 10% VAT and a per-person charge, its BSD 14 dive fee is collected by dive operators, and it takes no mooring reservations. The sea averages 23.3 °C in February and 29.4 °C in August (NOAA, 1991–2020 mean at our reference point); by our rule of thumb April to December are the months at 24 °C or more, when a swimsuit or rash vest is enough, while February calls for a 3 mm full wetsuit.
How warm is the sea in the Bahamas?
By NOAA's 1991–2020 averages at our reference point (Sea of Abaco off Marsh Harbour), the sea surface is warmest in August at 29.4 °C and coolest in February at 23.3 °C. Months at 24 °C or more: April to December.
Do I need a wetsuit to snorkel in the Bahamas?
By our rule of thumb (not a source's advice): a swimsuit or rash vest in August and a 3 mm full wetsuit in February; divers should go one band thicker.
Do I need a dive centre to scuba dive in the Bahamas?
Exuma Park: the BSD 14 dive fee is collected by the dive tour operator. Not verified: Whether visitors may dive in the park without a dive operator: not verified.
Are there park fees or mooring rules for boats in the Bahamas?
Exuma Park: moorings cannot be reserved and prepaying does not guarantee one; Warderick Wells moorings are assigned on VHF 09. Fees: ECLSP mooring, charter vessel, per day, up to 39'11": BSD 27.27 + 10% VAT. ECLSP mooring, charter vessel, per day, 40'–49'11": BSD 36.36 + 10% VAT. ECLSP mooring, charter vessel, per day, 50'–59'11": BSD 45.45 + 10% VAT.